Eight out of 10 Pak men think beating wife is macho

Manliness to 77 per cent men in Pakistan means threatening and torturing their wives for disagreeing with them on any issue, Muneeza Hashmi has said in a presentation.

Lahore, Oct 24 : Manliness to 77 per cent men in Pakistan means threatening and torturing their wives for disagreeing with them on any issue, Muneeza Hashmi has said in a presentation.

Muneeza further said that 45 per cent women are slapped, kicked and beaten, 75 per cent battered women committed suicides and violence is considered part of 55 per cent marriages.

Change in mindsets in this regard would be possible when human beings start saying 'no' to violence and violence would end when 'human spirits speak up' against it, she added.

The presentation was delivered in a four-day workshop held here under the aegis of German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ) on 'Sensitive Reporting through Gender Lens.'

Muneeza emphasised that developing more gender sensitive approach in thought process.

In second session, "Cultural and Traditional Practises in Violence against Women (VAW)," Samar Minallah showed videotaped narration of victimised girls regarding Vani, Sawara, gang rape and honour killing to the students.

The third session was conducted by Simin Raheel about 'Gender and Gender Stereotypes of Our Society', The News reported.

Defining gender, she stated gender is not biological, it is a social construct. Through interactive session with trainees, she discussed society's stereotypes entrenched in human minds from generations.

She stressed need to change these perceptions gradually to improve thinking.

The workshop was arranged for training students on gender sensitive issues regarding violence against women or rape cases. It aimed at guiding students on how to devise principles to protect victims or survivors from more mental agony and tension afterwards.

Students of Mass Communication from different colleges including Kinnaird College, Government College University, Fatima Jinnah Girls College Chona Mandi and Punjab University participated in the workshop.

ANI